Livestock Blower Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A livestock blower apparatus for blowing air through a flexible hose onto an animal. A pair of blower units are enclosed within an interior space of a housing. The blower units are adapted to draw air through housing inlet openings and force it through a Y-shaped conduit out through a housing outlet opening without the air coming in contact with the housing interior space. A cooling fan is provided at a housing cooling inlet opening and blows air into the housing interior space. Another cooling fan is provided at a housing cooling outlet opening and draws/blows air out from within the housing interior space. The blower units are thereby protected from the elements and noise generated by them is muffled by the housing, and the blower units are cooled for minimizing the heat that may be transferred to the air being blown onto the animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of blowers used for blowingand directing air onto animals/livestock for cooling and drying theanimals and for removing dirt from and grooming the animals.

2. Background

Animal/livestock blowers are known and are commonly used primarily atevents such as shows, sales and/or auctions to groom the animal bydrying and/or removing dirt/debris and thereby enhancing the appearanceof the skin/hair of the animal. Hand held self-contained blowers havebeen used for this purpose. However, they tend to be cumbersome andheavy, they do not provide a sufficient volume of air, especially forlarger animals, and can spook the animal by the noise they generate.Separate air blower apparatus have therefore been devised which can belocated away from the animal. An air hose is used for delivering the airfrom the blower apparatus to and around the animal as needed or desired.Examples of such known blower apparatus are shown and described in Chen,U.S. Pat. No. D792,662; Sack, U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,767; Denison et at.,US 2012/0031347; Davis Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,690; and, Di Peso, U.S.Pat. No. 5,926,972.

The prior air blower apparatus, however, typically intend to orotherwise inadvertently heat the air being delivered. This isundesirable, especially in hot weather, when cool air is preferable forcooling and calming the animal. The life of some of the prior air blowerapparatus is also often shortened due to dirt and debris fouling theblower motor(s).

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved livestock blower apparatuswhich overcomes the foregoing and other disadvantageous of priorlivestock blower apparatus, and which delivers relatively cooler air tothe animal and which protects the blower(s) and increases the life ofthe apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes disadvantageous of prior livestockblower apparatus by isolating the air being drawn into the blowerapparatus and being delivered onto the animal from the motor and othercomponents of the apparatus which function to draw and deliver/force theair to the animal; enclosing and protecting the motor and othercomponents from the elements; and, cooling the motor and components tominimize the heat that may be transferred from the motor and othercomponents to the air being delivered onto the animal.

In one form thereof, the present invention is directed to a blowerapparatus for blowing air onto animals and includes a blower housingdefining an enclosed interior space and having a blower air inletopening, a blower air outlet opening, a cooling air inlet opening and acooling air outlet opening. A blower unit is provided including a fanselectively driven by an electric motor, wherein the fan includes a fanhousing having an air inlet and an air outlet and wherein the electricmotor is located outside of the fan housing. The blower unit is locatedwithin the blower housing interior space whereby the blower unit isprotected by the blower housing. The fan housing inlet communicates withthe blower housing air inlet opening and the fan housing outletcommunicates with the blower housing air outlet opening, whereby air isdrawn in through the blower housing air inlet opening and forced outthrough the blower housing air outlet opening without contacting airwithin the blower housing interior space. A cooling fan is provided atone of the blower housing cooling air inlet opening or blower housingcooling air outlet opening for drawing air into the blower housinginterior space through the blower housing cooling air inlet and forcingair out from within the blower housing interior space through the blowerhousing cooling air outlet opening, whereby heat generated by the blowerunit is removed from the blower housing interior space and the blowerunit is cooled.

In another form thereof, the present invention is directed to a blowerapparatus for blowing air onto animals and includes a blower housingdefining an enclosed interior space and having first and second blowerair inlet openings, a blower air outlet opening, a cooling air inletopening and a cooling air outlet opening. First and second blower unitsare provided wherein each blower unit includes a fan selectively drivenby an electric motor, wherein the fan includes a fan housing having anair inlet and an air outlet and wherein the electric motor is locatedoutside of the fan housing. The first and second blower units arelocated within the blower housing interior space whereby the blowerunits are protected by the blower housing. The first blower unit faninlet communicates with the first blower housing air inlet opening. Thesecond blower unit fan inlet communicates with the second blower housingair inlet opening. Both the first blower unit fan outlet and the secondblower unit fan outlet communicate with the blower housing air outletopening, whereby air is drawn in through the blower housing first andsecond air inlet openings and is forced out through the blower housingair outlet opening without contacting air within the blower housinginterior space. A cooling fan is provided at one of the blower housingcooling air inlet opening or blower housing cooling air outlet openingfor drawing air into the blower housing interior space through theblower housing cooling air inlet and forcing air out from within theblower housing interior space through the blower housing cooling airoutlet opening, whereby heat generated by the first and second blowerunits is removed from the blower housing interior space and the firstand second blower units are cooled.

Preferably, a Y-shaped conduit is provided having: a first openingcommunicating with the first blower unit fan outlet; a second openingcommunicating with the second blower unit fan outlet; and, a thirdopening communicating with the blower housing air outlet opening.

The first and second blower units are preferably tangential bypass flowmotor fans.

The apparatus may further include an elongate flexible air hoseconnected to the blower housing air outlet opening at its one terminalend thereof and having a reduced opening nozzle at its other terminalend thereof.

Also preferably, a first air filter selectively placeable over the firstblower housing air inlet opening and a second air filter selectivelyplaceable over the second blower housing air inlet opening.

A second cooling fan is also preferably provided at the other one of theblower housing cooling air inlet opening or blower housing cooling airoutlet opening, whereby the cooling fan at the blower housing coolingair inlet forces air into the housing interior space and the cooling fanat the blower housing cooling air outlet forces air out from within thehousing interior space.

The blower housing preferably comprises a pair of integrally formedhalves secured to each other with fasteners and an integrally formedhandle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left side elevation view of a livestock blower apparatusconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present inventionand showing a hose connected thereto for delivering/blowing air onto aremotely located animal;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG. 1 andshowing the front, left side and top thereof;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG.1 and showing the rear, left side and top thereof;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG.1 and showing the front, right side and top thereof;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG.1 and showing the rear, right side and top thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a right side elevation view of blower apparatus shown in FIG.1 showing the right housing half;

FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view of blower apparatus shown in FIG.1 showing the left housing half;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the blower apparatus shown in FIG. 1depicting the assembly of the several components thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 with the right housinghalf removed;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 with the right housinghalf removed;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view similar to FIG. 9 with the righthousing half removed; and,

FIG. 15 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 and depicting the airfilters slidably insertable into a slot for placing them over the blowerhousing air inlet openings.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout several views. Although the exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the invention, in several forms, theembodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention to the precise formsdisclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a livestock blower apparatus constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown anddesignated by the numeral 10. Apparatus 10, as more fully describedherein below, is adapted to blow/force air through a flexible air hose12 for thereby directing and blowing the air onto an animal for coolingand drying the animal and for removing dirt from and grooming theanimal.

Apparatus 10 includes a blower housing 14 which, as best seen in FIG.11, is constructed with a pair of plastic molded housing halves, namely,left housing half 16 and right housing half 18. Left housing half 16 andright housing half 18 are secured to each other with fasteners (notnumbered). Housing 14 thereby defines an enclosed interior space 20.Left and right housing halves 16, 18 include respective integrallyformed handle halves, namely, left handle half 22 and right handle half24. When the left and right housing halves 16, 18 are secured to eachother, the left and right handle halves 22, 24 form a carrying handle26.

The left housing half 16 includes first and second blower air inletopenings 28, 30. When the left and right housing halves 16, 18 aresecured to each other, the housing 14 forms and includes a blower airoutlet opening 31, a cooling air inlet opening 32, a cooling air outletopening 34 and a control panel opening 36. A control panel 38 isprovided for mounting the control components and controlling the blowerapparatus 10 as needed or desired. Control panel 38 is secured to thehousing 14 at the control panel opening 36 and thereby also fills/sealsthe opening 36.

A cooling axial fan 40 is provided at the housing cooling air inletopening 32 and is adapted to blow/force air into the housing interiorspace 20 when energized. A screen 42 is mounted over the cooling axialfan 40 with fasteners (not numbered) for preventing dirt and debris frombeing drawn into the housing interior space 20 and for safety purposes.A cooling axial fan 44 is provided at the housing cooling air outletopening 34 and is adapted to blow/force air out from within the housinginterior space 20 when energized. A screen 46 is mounted over thecooling axial fan 44 with fasteners (not numbered) primarily for safetypurposes and also for preventing dirt and debris from inadvertentlyentering the housing interior space 20. As should now be appreciated, acooling air flow path depicted in the drawings with arrows 48 is formedwith cooling axial fans 40, 42 forcing ambient air through the housingcooling air inlet opening 32 into the housing interior space 20 andaround the blower units 50, 52 and other components within the interiorspace 20, and then out from the interior space 20 through the housingcooling air outlet 34. As should also be appreciated, although it ispreferable to use both cooling axial fans 40, 42 for maximizing thevelocity and volume of air traversing the cooling air flow path 48, itis contemplated that only one of the cooling axial fans 40, 42 can beused if a lower velocity and a lesser volume of air is found to besufficient.

Blower units 50, 52 are provided and are located within the housinginterior space 20. Blower units 50, 52 are mounted onto the left housinghalf 16 with fasteners (not numbered). Blower units 50, 52 arepreferably tangential bypass flow motor fans such as model No. 122525-00available from AMETEK Dynamic Fluid Solutions, 100 East Erie St., Kent,Ohio 44240. Each of the blower units 50, 52 are made up of and include afan 50F, 52F which is selectively driven by an electric motor 50M, 52M.The fans 50F, 52F include a fan housing 50H, 52H having an air inlet50I, 52I and an air outlet 50O, 52O. The electric motors 50M, 52M arelocated outside of the fan housing 50H, 52H. That is, substantially onlythe motor shaft extends into the fan housing 50H, 52H for rotatablydriving the impeller (not shown) as is common in tangential bypass flowmotor fans. Accordingly, air traveling through the fan housing 50H, 52His effectively sealed from the motor 50M, 52M. Motors 50M, 52M may beprovided with internal cooling fans for discarding heat created by themotors (not shown) as is also common in tangential bypass flow motorfans.

The blower units 50, 52 are mounted onto the left blower housing 16 withthe blower fan inlets 50I, 52I being aligned with and communicating withrespective blower housing inlet openings 28, 30 whereby, when the blowerunits are energized, air is drawn into the fans 50F, 52F through therespective blower housing inlet openings 28, 30 and respective fanhousing inlets 50I, 52I. The air drawn into the blower units 50, 52 isforced out through respective blower fan outlets 50O, 52O and isdirected to and discharged out of the blower housing 14 through theblower air outlet opening 31. More particularly and preferably, aY-shaped conduit 54 is provided and is mounted within the housing 14.Y-shaped conduit 54 has a first opening 56 connected to andcommunicating with the blower unit 50 fan outlet 50O, a second opening58 connected to and communicating with the blower unit 52 fan outlet 52Oand, a third opening 60 extending through/communicating with the blowerhousing air outlet opening 31. Accordingly, the Y-shaped conduit servesto converge the air blown/forced out of the blower fan outlets 50O, 52Ointo a single air stream which is discharged through the Y-shapedconduit third opening 60 and the blower housing air outlet opening 31.

Screens 28S, 30S are mounted over the respective blower air inletopenings 28, 30 with fasteners (not numbered) for preventing dirt anddebris from being drawn into the respective blower unit fans 50F, 52Fand for safety purposes. Screens 28S, 30S are preferably integrallyformed together as shown for minimizing costs and aesthetic appearancepurposes. Additionally, air filters 28F, 30F are selectively placed overthe respective blower unit air inlet openings 28, 30 by grasping therespective handle 28H, 30H thereof and sliding into and out ofrespective slots 64, 66 formed between the screens 28S, 30S and the lefthousing half 16. Filters 28F, 30F further prevent dirt and debris frombeing drawn into the respective blower unit fans 50F, 52F.

As should now be appreciated, a blower air flow path depicted in thedrawings with arrows 62 is formed through the housing interior space 20with the blower units 50, 52 drawing air in through the blower housinginlet openings 28, 30 and forcing it into the Y-shaped conduit 54 andthen out of through the blower housing outlet 31. Also, the airtraveling along the blower air flow path 62 does not contact/is notexposed to the blower housing interior space 20 and hence does notcommunicate with the air traveling along the cooling air flow path 48.Accordingly, the blower units 50, 52 are protected from the elements andare safely located within the housing 14. Additionally, the noisecreated by blower units 50, 52 is muffled by the housing 14.

The apparatus 10 is used by directing the air blown/forced out of theblower housing outlet 31 through a flexible air hose 12 and therebydirecting and blowing the air onto an animal for cooling and drying theanimal and for removing dirt from and grooming the animal. Preferably, amale quick connect pipe coupling 68 is provided at the Y-shaped conduitthird opening 60 and the hose 12 is provided with a corresponding femalequick connect pipe coupling 70 at one of its terminal ends 72 forthereby quickly and easily connecting the hose terminal end 70 to theconduit third opening 60/blower housing outlet opening 31. The air hose12 other terminal end 74 is provided with a reduced opening nozzle 76for increasing the velocity of the air being discharged therethrough andonto an animal.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design,the present invention may be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A blower apparatus for blowing air onto animalscomprising: a housing defining an interior space and having first andsecond working air inlet openings, a working air outlet opening, acooling air inlet opening and a cooling air outlet opening; first andsecond blower units wherein each blower unit comprises a fan selectivelydriven by an electric motor, wherein said fan includes a fan housinghaving an air inlet and an air outlet and wherein said electric motor islocated outside of the fan housing; said first and second blower unitmotors are located within said housing interior space whereby saidblower unit motors are protected by said housing; said first blower unitfan air inlet communicates with said housing first working air inletopening; said second blower unit fan air inlet communicates with saidhousing second working air inlet opening; both said first blower unitfan air outlet and said second blower unit fan air outlet communicatewith said housing working air outlet opening, whereby working air isdrawn in through said housing first and second working air inletopenings and is forced out through said housing working air outlet; and,wherein heat generated by said first and second blower unit motors isremoved from said housing interior space by drawing cooling air intosaid housing interior space through said housing cooling air inletopening and forcing the cooling air out from within said housinginterior space through said housing cooling air outlet opening, andwherein the cooling air does not contact the working air within thehousing interior space.
 22. The blower apparatus of claim 21 whereinsaid first and second blower units are tangential bypass flow motorfans.
 23. The blower apparatus of claim 21 further comprising anelongate flexible air hose connected to said housing working air outletopening at one terminal end thereof and having a reduced opening nozzleat another terminal end thereof.
 24. The blower apparatus of claim 21further comprising an air filter selectively placeable over each of saidhousing working air inlet openings.
 25. The blower apparatus of claim 21wherein said housing comprises an integrally formed handle.
 26. Theblower apparatus of claim 21 wherein said housing comprises a pair ofintegrally formed halves secured to each other with fasteners.
 27. Theblower apparatus of claim 21 wherein said first and second blower unitsare tangential bypass flow motor fans; and, further comprising a firstair filter selectively placeable over said housing first working airinlet opening and a second air filter selectively placeable over saidhousing second working air inlet.
 28. A blower apparatus for blowing aironto animals comprising: a housing defining an interior space and havingfirst and second working air inlet openings, a working air outletopening, a cooling air inlet opening and a cooling air outlet opening;first and second blower units wherein each blower unit comprises a fanselectively driven by an electric motor, wherein said fan includes a fanhousing having an air inlet and an air outlet and wherein said electricmotor is located outside of the fan housing; said first and secondblower unit motors are located within said housing interior spacewhereby said blower unit motors are protected by said housing; saidfirst blower unit fan air inlet communicates with said housing firstworking air inlet opening; said second blower unit fan air inletcommunicates with said housing second working air inlet opening; bothsaid first blower unit fan air outlet and said second blower unit fanair outlet communicate with said housing working air outlet opening,whereby working air is drawn in through said housing first and secondworking air inlet openings and is forced out through said housingworking air outlet; and, a cooling fan drawing cooling air into saidhousing interior space through said housing cooling air inlet openingand forcing the cooling air out from within said housing interior spacethrough said housing cooling air outlet opening, whereby the cooling airwithin the housing interior space does not contact the working airwithin the housing interior space and heat generated by said first andsecond blower unit motors is removed from said housing interior spaceand said first and second blower unit motors are cooled.
 29. The blowerapparatus of claim 28, further comprising a Y-shaped conduit having: afirst opening communicating with said first blower unit fan air outlet;a second opening communicating with said second blower unit fan airoutlet; and, a third opening communicating with said housing working airoutlet opening.
 30. The blower apparatus of claim 28 wherein said firstand second blower units are tangential bypass flow motor fans.
 31. Theblower apparatus of claim 28 further comprising an elongate flexible airhose connected to said housing working air outlet opening at its oneterminal end thereof and having a reduced opening nozzle at its otherterminal end thereof.
 32. The blower apparatus of claim 28 furthercomprising a first air filter selectively placeable over said housingfirst working air inlet opening and a second air filter selectivelyplaceable over said housing second working air inlet opening.
 33. Theblower apparatus of claim 28 wherein said housing comprises anintegrally formed handle.
 34. The blower apparatus of claim 28 whereinsaid housing comprises a pair of integrally formed halves secured toeach other with fasteners.
 35. The blower apparatus of claim 28 whereinsaid first and second blower units are tangential bypass flow motorfans; and, further comprising a first air filter selectively placeableover said housing first working air inlet opening and a second airfilter selectively placeable over said housing second working air inletopening.
 36. The blower apparatus of claim 28, further comprising: aY-shaped conduit having: a first opening communicating with said firstblower unit fan air outlet; a second opening communicating with saidsecond blower unit fan air outlet; and, a third opening communicatingwith said housing working air outlet opening; and, wherein said firstand second blower units are tangential bypass flow motor fans.